Combined, Converted, and Prophylactic Use of Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta for Severe Torso Trauma: A Retrospective Study

Background: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is used as an intra-aortic balloon occlusion method in Japan; however, the protocols for its effective use in different pathological conditions remain unclear. This study aimed to summarise the strategies of REBOA use in severe torso trauma. Methods: : Twenty-nine cases of REBOA for torso trauma treated at our hospital over 5 years were divided into the shock (n=12), cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) (n=13), and non-shock (n=4) groups. We retrospectively examined patient characteristics, trauma mechanism, injury site, severity score, intervention, survival rates at 24 hours, and intervention details in each group. Results: : In the shock group, 9 and 3 patients survived and died within 24 hours, respectively; time to intervention (56.6 vs 130.7 min, p=0.346) and total occlusion time (40.2 vs 337.7 min, p=0.009) were both shorter in surviving patients than in the casualties. In the CPA group, 10 patients were converted from resuscitative thoracotomy with aortic cross-clamp (RTACC); a single patient survived. Four patients in the non-shock group survived, having received prophylactic REBOA. Conclusions: : The efficacy of REBOA for severe torso trauma depends on patient condition. In the shock group, time to intervention and total occlusion time correlated with survival. The use of REBOA with definitive haemostasis and minimum delays to intervention may improve outcomes. Patients with CPA are at a high risk of mortality; however, conversion from RTACC may be effective in some cases. Prophylactic intervention in the non-shock group may help achieve immediate definitive haemostasis.